ARTICLE I

NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1.
The name of the club shall be the Gold Country Havanese Club, hereinafter referred to as the Club.

Section 2.
The objectives shall be:
(a)To encourage and promote the betterment and enjoyment of the Havanese breed and to do all possible to bring the breed’s natural qualities of conformation, disposition, and character to perfection.
(b)To urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the only standard of excellence by which Havanese shall be judged.
(c)To do all in its power to protect and advance the interests of the breed and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows, obedience/rally and agility under the rules of the AKC.
(d)To conduct sanctioned matches and specialty shows under the AKC and Havanese Club of America (HCA) rules and regulations.
(e)To support the parent club HCA in its endeavors.
(f)To increase public interest in the breed and to promote educational and social activities among members.
(g)The members of the Club shall adopt; and may, from time-to-time, revise such bylaws as may be required to carry out these objectives.

Section 3.
The Club shall not be conducted or operated for profit; and no part of any profit or remainder of residue from dues or donations to the Club, shall inure to the benefit of any member or individual.

Section 4.
If the Club holds any event(s) which members of the general public are invited to observe or participate in for a fee, the income from the general public, less a proportional share of the expenses which will not benefit members, will be paid over to an organization which is exempt from income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code on an annual basis.

Section 5.
Notwithstanding any of the statements of purpose and powers contained in the Bylaws, the Club shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any powers that are not in furtherance of the specific purposes of the Club.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.
Eligibility
There shall be five types of membership open to all persons who are in good standing with the AKC and HCA and who subscribe to the purposes and Bylaws of the Club. Each applicant for membership shall apply on a form as approved the the Board of Directors. Although membership is to be unrestricted as to residence, the Club’s primary purpose is to be representative of the members in the rural areas of Northern California, north northeast of the Sacramento area up to the California Oregon border.
Regular Individual Membership – is open to all persons 18 years of age and older who have been Associate or Junior members for at least one year and enjoys all Club privileges including the right to vote and to hold office.
Regular Family Membership – is limited to two adults each who have been Associate or Junior members for at least one year and reside in the same household and enjoys all Club privileges including the right to two votes and to hold office.
Associate Individual/Family Membership – is open to all persons 18 years of age and older and enjoys all the privileges of the Club except the right to vote and to hold office and shall not count in the determination of a quorum. Applications should be filed with the Membership Chair, but need not require sponsors or the approval process required of prospective Regular applicants.
Junior Membership – is open to persons 10-17 years of age and shall enjoy all the privileges of the Club except the right to vote and to hold office and shall not count in the determination of a quorum. Upon reaching the age of 18, a Junior member shall immediately apply for Regular or Associate membership.

Section 2.
Dues
Membership dues shall be set by the Board of Directors no later than February 1 of each year. The dues may not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00). The Membership Chair shall send dues notices for the ensuing year on or before February 1 to each member. Dues are payable on the first day of March of each year. No member may vote whose dues are unpaid on the first day of March of each year. No member may vote whose dues are unpaid for the current year. The dues will be collected by the Membership Chair and forwarded to the Treasurer within seven (7) business days. Dues may not be changed without approval of two-thirds majority of the Board of Directors. New members joining after half of the fiscal year, will pay half of the dues for that year. New members joining after December 1 will have their dues applied to the following year.

Section 3.
Election to Regular Membership
Each applicant for Regular membership agrees to abide by the Club’s Bylaws and Code of Ethics and be in good standing with the AKC. The applicant shall carry the endorsement of two Regular members in good standing and include the dues payable for the current year. Applications will be read at the first Board of Directors meeting after receipt and sent to Club members via e-mail or the Club newsletter. The applicant names will be included in the notice for the following Club meeting at which time their election will be held. Any member in good standing can make a recommendation on any applicant. An affirmative vote (by secret ballot) will require at least two-thirds of the Regular members present and voting at that meeting. Election to membership shall become effective immediately. Within 15 days the Membership Chair will inform each applicant in writing of the outcome of the membership vote.

Section 4.
Termination of Membership
Members may be terminated:

(a)By resignation or death. Any member in good standing may resign from the Club upon written notice to the Membership Chair. No member may resign when in debt to the Club. Dues obligations are considered a debt to the Club and become incurred on the first day of each fiscal year. Obligations other than dues are considered a debt to the Club and must be paid in full prior to resignation.
(b)By lapsing. A membership will be considered as lapsed and automatically terminated if such member’s dues remain unpaid 60 days after the first day of the fiscal year. A person whose dues are unpaid may not vote at any Club meeting or participate in any Club activity. Any member whose membership lapses must re-apply for membership if dues are not paid within 60 days from the beginning of the fiscal year. If a Regular member has lapsed for more than one year, reapplication must be made at the Associate level.
(c)By expulsion. A member may be expelled as provided in Article VII of these Bylaws.

Section 5.
Notification of Club or Board meetings, events and dues renewal may be sent to Club members via e-mail provided that the member or board member has signed an authorization agreeing to this method of communication. Such authorization, which is revocable, will also release the Club from any liability should the notification be received late or not received by the member or board member due to circumstances beyond the Club’s control.

ENTIRE BYLAWS ARTICLES ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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